Exogenous melatonin's effect on salivary cortisol and amylase: A randomized controlled trial
Issued Date
2024-06-01
Resource Type
eISSN
20521707
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85193609561
Pubmed ID
38764237
Journal Title
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives
Volume
12
Issue
3
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Pharmacology Research and Perspectives Vol.12 No.3 (2024)
Suggested Citation
Pachimsawat P., Ratanachamnong P., Jantaratnotai N. Exogenous melatonin's effect on salivary cortisol and amylase: A randomized controlled trial. Pharmacology Research and Perspectives Vol.12 No.3 (2024). doi:10.1002/prp2.1205 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/98488
Title
Exogenous melatonin's effect on salivary cortisol and amylase: A randomized controlled trial
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Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of acute exogenous melatonin administration on salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase (sCort and sAA) as representatives of the HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system, respectively. A single-dose prolonged-release melatonin (2 mg) or a placebo tablet was given to healthy volunteers (n = 64) at 20:00 h in a crossover design. The saliva was collected at six time points (20:00, 21:00, awakening, 30 min after awakening, 10:00, and 12:00 h) and was measured for sCort, sAA, and salivary melatonin (sMT) levels. Pulse rates and sleep parameters were also collected. Melatonin was effective in improving sleep onset latency by 7:04 min (p =.037) and increasing total sleep time by 24 min (p =.006). Participants with poor baseline sleep quality responded more strongly to melatonin than participants with normal baseline sleep quality as they reported more satisfaction in having adequate sleep (p =.017). Melatonin administration resulted in higher sCort levels at awakening time point (p =.023) and a tendency of lower sAA levels but these were not significant. Melatonin ingestion at 20:00 h resulted in a marked increase in sMT levels at 21:00 h and remained higher than baseline up to at least 10:00 h (p <.001). Melatonin increases sCort levels at certain time point with a tendency to lower sAA levels. These opposing effects of melatonin suggested a complex interplay between melatonin and these biomarkers. Also, the results confirmed the positive acute effect of a single-dose melatonin on sleep quality.